Magnetically operable blocking and control device

ABSTRACT

A magnetically operable blocking and control device, in which at least one of two permanent magnet means arranged in a housing has at least a portion movable selectively toward and away from the other permanent magnet means while third magnet means is selectively movable into and out of the magnetic field of one of said first mentioned two permanent magnet means for controlling the same.

United States Patent Hallmann [54] MAGNETICALLY OPERABLE BLOCKING AND CONTROL DEVICE [72] Inventor: Hermann Hallmann, Broleek- Derscheid, Germany [73] Assignee: MRT Magnet-Regeltechnik Gmbl-l,

Hamburg, Germany [22] Filed: July 21, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 56,849

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 22, 1969 Germany ..P 19 37 131.4

[52] US. Cl ..335/253, 335/207 [51] Int. Cl ..H0lf 7/08 [58] Field of Search ..335/205, 207, 229, 253, 306

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,158,796 11/1964 Musgrave ..335/253 X [4 1 Aug. 1, 1972 3,809,249 10/1957 Crissinger ..335/207 3,273,091 9/1966 Wales ..335/207 Primary Examiner-George Harris Attorney-Walter Becker 5 7] ABSTRACT A magnetically operable blocking and control device,

9 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures MAGNETICALLY OPERABLE BLOCKING AND CONTROL DEVICE The present invention relates to a magnetically operating locking and control device. With control devices of this type, which employ rocking magnets, the difficulty is encountered to move the blocking and control elements proper from one end position to the other end position and vice versa. This difficulty is due to the fact that an intennediate position of the anchor ing elements for the end positions cannot be realized or only with a considerable number of elements.

An electromagnetic effect brings about no result because the magnetic field built up by direct or alternating current would always compensate with the poles of the rocking magnets. For instance, if a rocking magnet has three south poles, also three north poles would automatically develop. Thus, there always prevails a balance so that either the rocker cannot be moved or will only vibrate in response to the continuously alternating magnetic fields. A reversing of the poles of the rocking magnets by a strong electromagnetic field is possible but in view of the magnetic forces acting upon the rocker, the stopping of the rocker in a so-called intermediate position is not possible or only under great difficulties. The rocker will move either in one direction until it meets an abutment or in the other direction back to its starting position.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a magnetically operating blocking and control device which can satisfactorily be moved from one end.

position to the other end position without in its respective end position having to undergo a reduction in the blocking or control function.

This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a permanent magnetically controlled blocking device in one end position.

FIG. 2 shows the blocking device of FIG. 1 with the blocking anchor occupying its intermediate position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the blocking device of FIGS. 1 and 2 shortly prior to reaching its other end position.

FIG. 4 is a modification of a permanent magnetically controlled blocking device according to the invention in one end position.

FIG. 5 shows the design of FIG. 4 in its other end position.

The magnetically operating blocking and control device according to the present invention is characterized primarily in that at least two canier elements are provided for permanent magnets, which carrier elements are selectively connected to each other while one of said carrier elements forms a rocker with at least one blocking anchor whereas the other carrier element together with the rocker carrier element is adapted selectively to be moved in a positive guiding means against a force, preferably a spring force, the permanent magnets arranged or introduced on both sides of the common central plane symmetrically in or on the carrier elements having their poles so located that the pole sequence in the rocker carrier element corresponds to the pole sequence in the other carrier element. In order to be able to assure the movement of the blocking anchor into the so-called intermediate position, it is provided according to the present invention that in the positively guided carrier element there is provided at least one unilaterally open chamber in which at least one permanent magnet may be moved back and forth.

The stopping of the individual control or blocking elements in the so-called end position is, in conformity with the present invention, effected through the intervention of blocking anchors in such a way that with an uneven number of the permanent magnets either one or the other end position is blocked, whereas with an even number of the permanent magnets the blocking anchor is through the intervention of the rocker carrier element pivotable into a position in which the carrier elements are movable opposite to or in the direction of the force which acts in the direction of the positive guiding means. According to the invention, the positive guiding means for one carrier element may be in the form of a housing which surrounds said carrier element and the rocker carrier element as well as a helical spring. The housing is, in conformity with the invention, at one side provided with a passage or opening for the blocking anchor while the blocking anchor, when occupying one end position, engages against a force, preferably a spring force, the marginal portions of the housing which are entirely or partly in a collar-like manner bent outwardly.

While maintaining the principle of the invention, there is also suggested a further embodiment of the invention which is characterized in that in a selectively closed or open housing there are provided at least two permanent magnets of which one magnet is selectively fixedly connected to the housing whereas the other magnet is movable in the housing by means of a further permanent magnet which is adapted from outside of the housing to be introduced into an auxiliary housing or housing chamber. The first mentioned main housing may, in conformity with the invention, have a recess into which there may be introduced a blocking or control member.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the housing I fonning the positive guiding means is adapted to receive therein a carrier element 2 which is movable in the housing against a helical spring 3. Rotatably mounted on the carrier element 2 is a carrier element 6 which forms a rocker and has magnets 7 and 8 inserted therein. In the carrier element 2 there is provided a spring magnet 10. Connected to the carrier element 6 is a blocking anchor 4 which, when occupying its rest position shown in FIG. 1, books over the marginal portions 13 which at the opening of the housing 1 are bent outwardly. Spring 3 holds the anchor in this hooked position.

If now the induction rod 12 with the magnet 9 (FIG. 2) is introduced into the chamber 11, the magnet 7 inserted in the carrier element 6 is repelled to such an extent as the magnets 8 and 10 will permit. If all magnets 7, 8, 9 and 10 are of the same polarity and also have the same magnetic field intensity, the carrier element 6 will move into the position of FIG. 2 which may also be termed the balance or intermediate position. The forces exerted by the magnet 9 upon the magnet 7 and by the magnet 10 upon the magnet 8 will then be balanced. In order to obtain this balance position of FIG. 2, it is first necessary to press the induction rod 12 with the carrier element 2 against the spring 3 until the blocking anchor 4 is freed from its anchoring engagement with the housing 1 and will now be able, in view of the repelling forces between the magnets 9 and 7 on one hand and the magnets 8 and 10 on the other hand to occupy the said balance or intermediate position. Now the induction rod 12 together with the carrier element 2 may be released (FIG. 3) so that the blocking anchor 4 can freely move through the housing opening 5 into the interior of the housing. If now the induction rod 12 is pulled out of the chamber 11, the repelling force between the magnets 8 and will tilt the carrier element 6 in counter-clockwise direction with regard to FIG. 3 so that the carrier element with the anchor 4 will occupy the position shown in dash lines in FIG. 3.

This embodiment of the invention illustrates the possibility in the variation of the construction with magnets if for the respective function magnets of the same character are employed which make it possible to obtain the FIG. 2 or balance position.

It may be added that the magnets may have a plurality of poles and that the slightest displacement of these poles makes possible an intermediate position of the blocking anchor. The magnetic force will always be greatest where all poles (north, south) are located opposite to each other. In FIGS. 1-3, the magnets always located opposite to each other are the magnet 8 in the carrier element 6 and the magnet 10 in the carrier element 2. The force exerted by the magnets 8 and 10 upon each other can be balanced only by the force exerted by the magnet 7 in carrier element 6 and the magnet 9 inserted in the induction rod 12, provided that both groups of magnets correspond to each other with respect to their polarity. It will be evident that a plurality of embodiments for the magnetic induction rod is possible.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, this embodiment comprises a housing 14 with two permanent magnets 15 and 16 which, due to the fact that they have the same polarity, repell each other and consequently are pressed against the walls of the housing. The pushrod 17 of an imaginary control cannot enter the recess 18 in housing 14 because the magnet 16 blocks the path.

If an induction rod is introduced into the housing chamber 19 (FIG. 4), which induction rod has the same polarity as the magnet 16, it will be evident that the magnet 16 will be repelled by the induction rod 20 toward the magnet 15 until the repelling forces exerted by the magnet 15 upon the magnet 16 equal the repelling forces exerted by the induction rod 20 upon the magnet 16. In other words, provided of course that the field intensity of the three magnets 15, 16, 20 is the same, the magnet 16 will occupy its intermediate position shown in FIG. 5, and the pushrod 17 can enter the recess 18 until it abuts the intermediate housing section 14a. Thus, the desired blocking or control function has been realized.

From the above it will be evident that the principle of the invention can be employed in various fields, in particular with safety locks, safely contact makers or with control elements. The invention can be employed wherever it is important that no unauthorized person can establish an electric contact or open a safety lock in contrast to conventional locks or switches. Thus, a

maximum safety is realized in the above mentioned art because the movement of the locking or control members from one end position into the other end position is possible only after a so-called intermediate position of one or more blocking anchors has been effected.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A magnetically operable blocking and control device which includes: first carrier means reciprocable from a first position to a second position and vice versa, guiding means reciprocably guiding said first carrier means, second carrier means pivotally supported by said first carrier means and adapted to be pivoted relative to said first carrier means between a blocking position and an unblocking position, said second carrier means including a latching member, locking means operable to lock said latching member when said first carrier means is in said second position and said second carrier means is in said blocking position, first and second permanent magnet means carried by said second carrier means and respectively arranged on opposite sides of and symmetrically with regard to the pivot axis of said first carrier means, third permanent magnet means carried by said first carrier means and arranged opposite said second permanent magnet means, fourth permanent magnet means selectively reciprocable in said first carrier means opposite said first pennanent magnet means, said third and fourth permanent magnet means having the same field intensity as the respective oppositely located second and first permanent magnet means and having such a polarity with regard to the polarity of said second and first permanent magnet means as to hold said second and first permanent magnet means and thereby said second carrier means balanced in said unblocking position by said third and fourth permanent magnet means, and spring means continuously biasing said first and second carrier means away from said locking means.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said guiding means includes housing means having a bottom at one end and being open at the opposite end and slidingly engaging said first carrier means, and in which said spring means includes a helical preloaded pressure spring having one end resting against said bottom and having its opposite end resting against said first carrier means.

3. A device according to claim 1, in which said first carrier means has a chamber opposite and closed toward said first permanent magnet means and being open in opposite direction and in which said fourth permanent magnet means is selectively movable into and out of said chamber.

4. A device according to claim 1, in which said second carrier means includes a rocker having two arms arranged on opposite sides of the pivot axis of said rocker with said first and second permanent magnet means respectively connected to said arms, and in which said latching member includes an anchor member fixedly connected to said rocker and operable when said fourth permanent magnet means is withdrawn from said first carrier means to be moved by the action of said second and third permanent magnet means into locking engagement with said locking means,

5. A device according to claim 2, in which the bottom of said housing means is provided with a passage for permitting said latching means to pass therethrough while said fourth pennanent magnet means has been received by said first carrier means and magnetically acts upon said first permanent magnet means and while said second and third permanent magnet means magnetically act upon each other.

6. A device according to claim 5, in which the housing portion directly defining said passage includes a flanged portion forming said locking means.

7. A magnetically operable blocking and control device, which includes: housing means, first permanent magnet means arranged in said housing means, second permanent magnet means arranged in said housing permanent magnet means arranged in said housing means and having at least a portion selectively movable toward and away from said first permanent magnet means, and third permanent magnet means movable selectively into and out of the magnetic field of said second permanent magnet means for controlling the same, said first and second permanent magnet means being of the same polarity with the poles of the same polarity facing each other, and said housing means including first chamber means having said first and second permanent magnet means arranged therein in spaced relationship to each other and selectively so that said second permanent magnet means is outside the magnetic field of said first magnetic means, said housing means also including second chamber means adapted selectively to receive said third permanent magnet means, said third permanent magnet means being movable in said second chamber means selectively into and out of the magnetic field of said said second permanent magnet means to thereby control the position of said second permanent magnet means.

9. A device according to claim 8, in which said housing means includes passage means, and blocking means movable into said housing means for maintaining said second permanent magnet means in a position spaced from the adjacent wall of said second housing means and intermediate said last mentioned wall and said first permanent magnet means. 

1. A magnetically operable blocking and control device which includes: first carrier means reciprocable from a first position to a second position and vice versa, guiding means reciprocably guiding said first carrier means, second carrier means pivotally supported by said first carrier means and adapted to be pivoted relative to said first carrier means between a blocking position and an unblocking position, said second carrier means including a latching member, locking means operable to lock said latching member when said first carrier means is in said second position and said second carrier means is in said blocking position, first and second permanent magnet means carried by said second carrier means and respectively arranged on opposite sides of and symmetrically with regard to the pivot axis of said first carrier means, third permanent magnet means carried by said first carrier means and arranged opposite said second permanent magnet means, fourth permanent magnet means selectively reciprocable in said first carrier means opposite said first permanent magnet means, said third and fourth permanent magnet means having the same field intensity as the respective oppositely located second and first permanent magnet means and having such a polarity with regard to the polarity of said second and first permanent magnet means as to hold said second and first permanent magnet means and thereby said second carrier means balanced in said unblocking position by said third and fourth permanent magnet means, and spring means continuously biasing said first and second carrier means away from said locking means.
 2. A device according to claim 1, in which said guiding means includes housing means having a bottom at one end and being open at the opposite end and slidingly engaging said first carrier means, and in which said spring means includes a helical preloaded pressure spring having one end resting against said bottom and having its opposite end resting against said first carrier means.
 3. A device according to claim 1, in which said first carrier means has a chamber opposite and closed toward said first permanent magnet means and being open in opposite direction and in which said fourth permanent magnet means is selectively movable into and out of said chamber.
 4. A device according to claim 1, in which said second carrier means includes a rocker having two arms arranged on opposite sides of the pivot axis of said rocker with said first and second permanent magnet means respectively connected to said arms, and in which said latching member includes an anchor member fixedly connected to said rocker and operable when said fourth permanent magnet means is withdrawn from said first carrier means to be moved by the action of said second and third permanent magnet means into locking engagement with said locking means.
 5. A device according to claim 2, in which the bottom of said housing means is provided with a passage for permitting said latching means to pass therethrough while said fourth permanent magnet means has been received by said first carrier means and magnetically acts upon said first permanent magnet means and while said second and third permanent magnet means magnetically act upon each other.
 6. A device according to claim 5, in which the housing portion directly defining said passage includes a flanged portion forming said locking means.
 7. A magnetically operable blocking and control device, which includes: housing means, first permanent magnet means arranged in said housing means, second permanent magnet means arranged in said housing means and having at least a portion selectively movable toward and away from said first permanent magnet means, and third permanent magnet means movable selectively into and out of the magnetic field of said second permanent magnet means for controlling the same relative to said first magnet means, said first and second permanent magnet means being of the same polarity with the poles of the same polarity facing each other.
 8. A magnetically operable blocking and control device which includes: housing means, first permanent magnet means arranged in said housing means, second permanent magnet means arranged in said housing means and having at least a portion selectively movable toward and away from said first permanent magnet means, and third permanent magnet means movable selectively into and out of the magnetic field of said second permanent magnet means for controlling the same, said first and second permanent magnet means being of the same polarity with the poles of the same polarity facing each other, and said housing means including first chamber means having said first and second permanent magnet means arranged therein in spaced relationship to each other and selectively so that said second permanent magnet means is outside the magnetic field of said first magnetic means, said housing means also including second chamber means adapted selectively to receive said third permanent magnet means, said third permanent magnet means being movable in said second chamber means selectively into and out of the magnetic field of said said second permanent magnet means to thereby control the position of said second permanent magnet means.
 9. A device according to claim 8, in which said housing means includes passage means, and blocking means movable into said housing means for maintaining said second permanent magnet means in a position spaced from the adjacent wall of said second housing means and intermediate said last mentioned wall and said first permanent magnet means. 